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Analects 18.3

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Eighteen

Original Text:

齐景公待孔子曰若季氏则吾不能以季孟之间待之曰吾老矣不能用也孔子行

Translation:

Other Translations:

With regard to how he should treat Confucius, Duke Jing of Qi said, “I cannot treat him as I would the head of the Ji Family; I shall treat him at a level somewhere between that of the head of the Ji Family and the head of the Meng Family.” On a later occasion, he remarked, “I am too old, I will not be able to employ him.” Confucius then left the state of Qi.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Duke Jing of Qi, speaking of the treatment that he was prepared to offer Confucius, said, I cannot give him the treatment accorded the senior branch of the Ji family. It would have to be the treatment accorded someone in between the senior and the junior branches. [To Confucius] he said, I’m old—I cannot make proper use of you.
Confucius left the state of Qi.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 14.43

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Fourteen

Original Text:

原壤夷俟子曰幼而不孙弟长而无述焉老而不死是为贼以杖叩其胫

Translation:

Other Translations:

Yuan Rang sat casually, with his legs sprawled out, waiting for Confucius.
On seeing him, the Master remarked, “A young man devoid of humility and respect for his elders will grow into an adult who contributes nothing to his community. Growing older and older without the dignity to pass away, he becomes a burden on society.” He then rapped him on the shin with his staff.
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Yuan Rang sat waiting for Confucius in a slovenly posture. The Master said, Young but not properly submissive, grown and no one speaks well of you, old and you still don’t die—a real pest!
He rapped on Yuan’s shins with his cane.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 7.19

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Seven

Original Text:

叶公问孔子于子路子路不对子曰女奚不曰其为人也发愤忘食乐以忘忧不知老之将至云尔

Translation:

Other Translations:

The Duke of She asked Zilu about Confucius. Zilu had no reply.
[Upon Zilu’s return], the Master said, “Why did you not just say: ‘He is the type of person who is so passionate that he forgets to eat, whose joy renders him free of worries, and who grows old without noticing the passage of the years.’ ”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

The lord of She asked Zilu about Confucius, but Zilu did not reply.
The Master said, Why didn’t you tell him that he’s the kind of person who in bursts of enthusiasm forgets to eat, in his delight forgets to worry, and doesn’t even realize that old age is coming on?
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.

Analects 5.26

Leave a Comment / Analects, Analects - Book Five

Original Text:

颜渊季路侍子曰盍各言尔志子路曰愿车马衣轻裘与朋友共敝之而无憾颜渊曰愿无伐善无施劳子路曰愿闻子之志子曰老者安之朋友信之少者怀之

Translation:

Other Translations:

Yan Hui and Zilu were in attendance. The Master said to them, “Why do you not each speak to me of your aspirations?”
Zilu answered, “I would like to be able to share my carts and horses, clothing and fur with my fellow students and friends, without feeling regret.”
Yan Hui answered, “I would like to avoid being boastful about my own abilities or exaggerating my accomplishments.”
Zilu then said, “I would like to hear of the Master’s aspirations.”
The Master said, “To bring comfort to the aged, to inspire trust in my friends, and be cherished by the youth.”
Confucius, & Slingerland, E. (2003). Analects: With selections from traditional commentaries. Hackett Publishing.

Once, when Yan Yuan and Zilu were accompanying him, the Master said, Why don’t each of you speak of your desires?
Zilu said, I wish that I and my friends could share the same carriages and horses, robes and furs, and never worry if we wore them out.
Yan Yuan said, I would like never to boast of what good points I have and never cause trouble to others.
Zilu said, I would like to hear the Master’s desires.
The Master said, To free old people from worry, to be trustworthy toward my friends, and at all times solicitous of the young.
Confucius, & Watson, B. (2007). The Analects of Confucius. Columbia University Press.